Greenwich Means Time

So I was back in London just for little over 24 hours. Importantly I used this time to catch up with a friend. One who over time I see every few years.

Hence it seemed fitting that we went out to Greenwich to walk around spending some time. But more importantly I visited the line.... Where longitude is counted from. Technically time is what it is. But Greenwich Royal Observatory is that special spot where time means a lot more. Where longitude is 0. And hence why we refer to worldwide time by Greenwich Mean Time. Interesting you'll also find at the observatory the gauge by which a British yard of rope is measured. But a yard today just isn't the same as it used to be.

Around Greenwich there were quite a few things to do. The walk under the Thames wasn't visually inspiring. However to thing this was build so long ago it's an amazing piece of engineering. It also served as a safe haven during the Battle of Britain. Like the tube. The Cutty Sark and Navel museum as also there for those interested in doing a tour. However I was more just enjoying from the outside, and from the window of a bar across the road.

Regarding the walk under the Thames over to the Isle of Dogs. No dogs were found, nor harmed in the filming of the summary of the day. However we may have muttered "get off your bike", or wished a skateboarder an unfortunate fall as they went through the tunnel.

Calling in on London to meet a baby

There's not been much time to plan much in London. After all things just slowed down when there's a new born in the picture. And baby Darcy has all the focus of her dad Darren, and mother Anna.

And well she managed to make a good photo. I'm still scared of holding someone's baby. But did accept the challenge if just for a bit.

Saying Hi to High Tea at the Ham Yard Hotel

When in London I had a day free before the wedding. Unlike usual trips where I might go see something with my friends I was left to my own devices. After all my friends were slightly busy with last minute wedding planning. They also had a million and one family and friends arriving. I know how to share their time. And I'd be visiting again.

This free time worked in perfectly as what I usually don't have in London is family visiting at the same time. Until now that is. My Aunt and Uncle were on a big trip of their own to Paris and London for a trade fair or two as a part of their interior design business. This was perfectly timed for a catch up in London. And they had a great plan of going to the Ham Yard Hotel for afternoon tea as it was associated with a well known designer. I don't know names so I can't quote them to you. But I knew it would be a great experience.

The hotel doesn't look to be in my normal travel budget. But that doesn't stop one from going to have high tea. I had never gone for high tea before. Having experienced it here I am quite open to doing this again! Wow.

 The food was quite the experience. The setting was well worth it. We even had a lovely chat to our waitress who said it was possible to go around after, and perhaps talk to the concierge to arrange to see a guest suite (if one was available). I ran out of time. But I do hope my Uncle and Aunt had time. After all this was their visual wonderland.

Not that I usually put in links to places I visit, but here's the hotel website:
https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/ham-yard-hotel/afternoon-tea/

However if you can't make it to London and want a bit of style into your own world then perhaps give my uncle (or cousin) a call. Or visit the shop in Toowoomba. Tell them I sent you! Perhaps they'll remember to invite me to their next travel idea.
http://beadles.com.au/

They filled the moat at Hampton Court just for my visit!

Sometimes people have something they do out of habit. For me it's visiting friends overseas.

So this trip I visited London again. So I visited my friend Daz, again. That's how it goes when I travel. If I visit Europe. I visit Daz. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Daz knows me. Knows what I like. So it's not hard for him to insert a plan in place for my visit. Usually a day trip of some sort. Nothing fancy. A bit of history, and a bit of food.

So this time around in London I arrived by the Eurostar. Might I just say what a pleasant trip that was. I left the comforts of waffles in Brugge just after lunch, and was in London for dinner. Even with a train strike crippling London.

 I cannot sing the praises of this method to London enough. By Eurostar you avoid the struggle to get to an airport. Airports are never in a city centre. Eurostar was in the Main Station. And you can check in 1/2 hour before boarding time. I probably saved 2 hours by train, and it cost less too. Might I just add that Eurostar includes your journey from any station on the day in Belguim if traveling from Brussels. So it even saves you a few dollars.

Once in London it was a great stay with Daz and Anna. Just one full day to myself in the centre of London in which I visited Shakespeare's Globe. And then a day of Hampton Court and visiting a long lost friend for dinner.

Of note we really did underestimate the time it takes to complete Hampton Court. Alas the headphones in Hampton court didn't help. You have to hear the whole spiel of every section. It's not so easy to skip a room or description.

We lasted as long as we could before we realised we had to make the maze before it rained. Luckily by the time I completed the maze it only started to rain. Alas it didn't save us though. The gale destroyed the umbrellas we held leaving us with a sprint to the pub.